In recent years, lithium received increasing attention as lithium-ion rechargeable
batteries appear to be the most promising candidates for future electric vehicles. Several
studies forecast a strong increase in demand most likely brought about with the
implementation of lithium-ion batteries in the automotive sector. Thus, the availability
of lithium could be an important constraint for this emerging technology. Concerning
lithium availability the future developments of supply and demand as well as the recycling
potential play major roles. In respect of recycling it has to be distinguished in general
between dissipative and non-dissipative applications. As several studies (e.g. 1 G. Angerer, F. Marscheider-Weidemann, M. Wendl, M.
Wietschel, Raw materials for emerging technologies: the case of lithium, Karlsuhe 2009)
predict lithium recycling to play an important role for future lithium availability the
recyclability of lithium in different applications has to be analysed for estimating the
contribution of lithium recycling to future supply.